Great Taste, Good Value are as Good as Gold

October 5, 2014

Story By: Kyle Galdeira | Photos by: Nathalie Walker

Whether one desires a quick lunch on the go or a relaxing sit-down meal with friends and family, Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant serves up a warm, inviting atmosphere coupled with an eclectic menu bursting with stellar cuisine.

Conveniently located in downtown Honolulu at 111 N. King St. amid the bustling Chinatown district, Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant has served up popular Hong Kong-style cuisine blended with Southern Chinese influences since 2001. Owner Howard Lam and his son Gary, who serves as manager, continue to introduce new dishes to complement a vast menu chock-full of customer favorites and extraordinary value.

“We try to stay true to authentic Hong Kong dishes, from quality to taste,” says Gary. “Our clientele does include a lot of local diners, so we adapt to their tastes as well.”

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Black Bean Sauce Chicken Feet ($7.95) is a rather unique item offered at the restaurant.

“My dad actually thought of it. We’re here in the restaurant every day, so we constantly are coming up with new ideas of items to eat,” explains Lam, when asked about the new dish’s inspiration. “Chicken feet always has been one of our favorite dishes and there are lots of ways to cook it. (Howard) decided to experiment with it, and it came out really good, so we decided to make it available to customers.”

As its name suggests, Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant offers a slew of savory seafood selections, including Oyster with Ginger & Onion Sizzling Platter ($11.95). The stir-fried dish comes straight to the table atop a sizzling platter, as the aromatic ginger and onion couple with fresh oysters to offer a bold taste comparable to its presentation.

Oyster with Ginger and Onion Sizzling Platter ($11.95)

Bitter Melon with Chicken ($7.95)

Black Bean Sauce Chicken Feet ($7.95)

Manager Gary Lam

Clams with Black Bean Sauce ($10.50)

Sea Bass Filet with Corn ($7.95)

Lam also recommends Sea Bass Filet with Corn ($7.95), which features tender sea bass that is battered and fried, then served in a light creamed corn sauce. The manager explains that when many diners try it for the first time, it becomes an instant favorite.

“Lots of diners either miss it on the menu or just haven’t had a chance to try it,” Lam says of the dish, which pairs perfectly with rice. “I like to eat it, and it’s time for the dish to step into the spotlight.”

The wide variety of seafood options also includes Clams with Black Bean Sauce ($10.50). This classic dish features a hearty portion of tasty clams tossed in a flavorful black bean sauce, which makes it one of Golden Palace’s most popular dishes.

Bitter Melon with Chicken ($7.95) is a menu mainstay that features what Lam describes as a “tangy” sate sauce.

“It’s a very interesting taste; there’s a lot going on in this dish, but not enough to overwhelm you. The bitter melon, sauce and chicken go hand-in-hand.”

In addition to the spacious dining room on the restaurant’s ground level, Golden Palace has a banquet room on the second floor capable of seating up to 450 people. Lam explains that multiple groups have utilized the convenient space for a vast array of functions, including weddings, birthday parties and business gatherings. The room also has a built-in sound system, and reservations are welcome for future events.

“The room is a nice setting for all sorts of gatherings,” Lam explains. “We can tailor menus for parties to feature particular dishes and tastes that guests are looking for while also staying within their budget.”